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11 stalls to satisfy your cravings at Marine Parade's Promenade Market @ 84
After you've had your fun at East Coast Park, who should you call? Well, it's certainly not the Ghostbusters, because Marine Parade's hawker centre — Promenade Market @ 84 — is within walking distance.
I've been visiting this hawker centre since my primary school days (any Tanjong Katong Primary kids here?), hitting up dessert stalls and economic bee hoon after CCA. It felt like something was missing in my life during its renovation, but Promenade Market made its comeback with a brighter and airier setting, so it's a win in my book.
If you're new to the Marine Parade area, why not join me as I make a list of 11 stalls you should pay a visit to? From mains to drinks and snacks, we'll go through them all!
Another stall that returned after Marine Parade hawker centre's renovation is Neptune Hong Kong Dim Sum. Serving cha dian, or afternoon tea treats, in bamboo baskets is part of their 30-year heritage.
The golden trio of Xiao Long Bao (S$4.30), Steamed Shrimps Dumpling (S$4.30) and Siew Mai (S$4.20) will be my top pick any day. When I tell you Neptune Hong Kong Dim Sum does it right, I mean it. The fillings of all their dumplings are fresh, the shrimp have a crunch and the meats are sooo juicy.
To end the meal with dessert, the Crispy Durian Spring Roll (S$5.20) is perfect. The smooth mashed durian encased in brittle fried batter is where it's at. Packed with a crunch, the durian itself is not too sweet, giving a mellow yet rich aftertaste to each bite.
+65 9005 4894 Thu to Tue: 7am – 7pm Closed on Wed
Let me introduce a duck rice stall that's been at Marine Parade hawker centre for more than 40 years. Kun Ji has been hanging up succulent roast ducks at their store since the '80s, and they don't plan on stopping.
Of course, I had to get a plate of their signature Braised Duck Rice (S$5). The duck meat is juicy and tender, pairing perfectly with the rice. With added Tau Kua (S$0.70) that's silky and drenched in braising liquid, this plate is worth the queue.
If duck is not your thing, you could try their Char Siew Roasted Pork Rice (S$5). With sweet char siew and smoky roasted pork, this plate features the best of both worlds. The punch of umami from the meats is absorbed and balanced by the bed of white rice it's served on.
To round up your meal, Kun Ji also provides a bowl of complimentary soup rich with rendered duck fat. Simmered with herbs and spices, this soup is refreshing yet packed with flavour.
Mon: 10.30am – 5pm Wed, Fri to Sun: 9.30am – 7pm Thu: 10am – 7pm Closed on Tue
Regulars at Defu Lane will know about the first-ever outlet of Soon Lee Fish Soup. Now, don't worry, you won't have to travel all the way to Kovan for their seafood soup.
Featuring a clear, light soup made by simmering various cuts of seafood, garlicky chilli, Fish Maw (S$2) and a bowl of Rice (S$0.50), this meal reminds me of my childhood. Chinese-style soups will never be replaced in my heart, and this Sliced Pomfret Fish Soup (S$5.50) shows you exactly why.
The sweet, meaty flesh releases its natural umami into the broth, highlighting the freshness of the pomfret. You don't get distracted by any other ingredients; it's just you and the fish.
Only after you have an unadulterated taste of the fish can you dip a slice in the chilli. With a spicy kick, you get a new and refreshing bite that pairs so well with the rice. Even if you're not in the mood for rice, Soon Lee Fish Soup also offers 5 other carb options including mee sua and thick bee hoon.
Daily: 9.30am – 8.30pm
Now that we're talking about noodles, how could we not talk about fishball noodles? With pockets of salty soup trapped in 'QQ' fish paste, this is what OG Singaporeans think of when noodles are mentioned.
At Fei Yuan Teochew Noodle, fishballs and minced meat ring a harmonious tone in sleek chilli oil and piping hot soup.
The Teochew Fishballs Mee (S$4.50 for Regular, S$5.50 for large) brings the full package: fishballs, fried fishcake and minced meat on noodles of your choice. The thick mee pok is my top pick here, as its wide surface allows chunks of minced meat to stick on. Plump and smothered with sauce, every bite is absolutely addicting.
If you're looking for more types of fishcake, get a steaming bowl of their Yong Tau Foo (S$5.50). But if you can't live without spice, go for the Laksa Yong Tau Foo (S$6.50) with creamy coconut milk that balances the sharp tang of chillies.
If there's one thing to remember, it's to stop and read the menu here. With fishballs, meatballs, yong tau foo and laksa, you're missing out if you think this is a simple noodle stall!
Order Delivery: foodpanda
Daily: 7am – 5pm
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The day I forget about noodles as a main carb choice is the day I stop being human. Ban mian, from dry to soup, seafood to meat and all kinds of veggies, is the love of my life. It's a versatile ingredient, especially when it's cooked at Marine Parade hawker centre's 77 Ban Mian.
This dry version of Seafood Ban Mian (S$5.50) is tossed in savoury sauce and silky chilli oil for the most indulgent slurp of your life. Topped with prawns, fried fish, anchovies and kang kong, this is a meal that makes sure you finish every bite.
Don't be fooled by the name 77 Ban Mian, because mee hoon kuey is also served here. Chewy, starchy dough is pressed into thin sheets, ripped into bite-sized pieces and boiled in the same flavourful broth as the ban mian.
While they do serve the classic Mee Hoon Kuey (S$4), doesn't the Tom Yum Mee Hoon Kuey (S$5.50) catch your attention too? Don't get me wrong, I still love my clear Chinese-style soups, but the idea of a sour and spicy broth soaking into squares of mee hoon kuey is too hard to resist.
Mon to Sat: 7.30am – 8pm Closed on Sun
Yong Huat Delight: $3 chee cheong fun made from scratch by milling own rice at Marine Parade
How could I think of snacks without thinking of kueh? Sweet or savoury, chewy or soft, these pieces of traditional treats are well-loved by many. With its 32 outlets island-wide, you know you're getting quality kueh at Jian Bo Shui Kueh.
Their signature Jian Bo Shui Kueh (S$5.50 for 5) presents chunky chai po, or preserved white radish, atop soft rice cakes. The crunchy pickled radish lends the mellow kueh a saltiness, ending in mild sweetness that leaves you wanting more.
If you're looking for a sweet treat after your meal, you could dabao their Ang Ku Kueh Peanut (S$5.40 for 3). The chewy glutinous rice skin of the ang ku kueh gives way to sweet and fragrant ground peanut filling. If you're craving that mochi pull, come get a bite at Promenade Market!
Order Delivery: foodpanda Deliveroo
For a list of locations and opening hours, please click here.
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Pastries and cakes will never be left out of the dessert hall of fame! Bakersmith whips up fresh buns and cakes such as the childhood favourite Mini Chicken Hotdog Bun (S$4.50 for 4) and fluffy Pandan Chiffon Cake (S$5 for 4 slices).
Apart from regular buns and pastries, Bakersmith sells velvety frosted cakes as well. From the oldie-but-goodie delights to modern fan favourites, there's a wealth of flavours to choose from.
Their Classic Cakes start from S$45 for 0.5kg, and there are promotions on their website that drop the price down to S$38. Furthermore, they also deal with customisation for birthday and celebration cakes, making Marine Parade hawker centre a convenient spot for you to visit when planning events.
Order Delivery: foodpanda
+65 8031 1162 Daily: 8am – 6pm
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During my visit to Promenade Market, I was given a sample of Cha Mulan's Radiant Mulan (S$4.90) and was immediately sold. Each sip is enhanced by chewy peach gum and sweet Goji berries.
The store's concept revolves around replacing bubble tea toppings with ingredients commonly found in traditional Chinese medicine. Delicious tea with health benefits? Sign me up.
I ended up going for the Cleanse Mulan (S$4.90) with Artisan White Peach Tea, poached Asian pear and snow fungus. Since I'd just finished a large meal with my family, I was looking for a refreshing drink that could cut through the grease.
Every sip was faintly sweet and packed with soft chunks of pear and snow fungus. I liked the texture of the pear that melted in my mouth, which contrasted well against the crunchy snow fungus.
+65 8931 1288 Mon to Fri: 10am – 8pm Sat & Sun: 9am – 8pm
For a list of outlets, please see their Instagram page.
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Nasi lemak is a staple on the Singaporean lunch menu. Filling, sedap and fully customisable, D'Authentic Nasi Lemak does it all. It's another one of the stalls that returned after the renovation period, returning stronger than ever with a newly designed signboard.
With more than 30 years of experience and a second outlet selling mee rebus just a few stalls down, you know that they're frequented by tons of people.
Instead of selling set-style nasi lemak, D'Authentic Nasi Lemak leaves the choices up to you. All ingredients are a la carte, which means less time debating over different set menus and more time for eating. I'm personally a fan of this arrangement since I can cater the portions to my appetite.
With 18 toppings including deep-fried chicken wings (S$1.50), fried eggs (S$0.60) and tempe (S$0.80), don't worry about not finding a combo you like. They even have begedel (S$0.80), golden discs of mashed potato mixed with a blend of aromatics and fried to crispy perfection.
But, of course, the heart and soul of nasi lemak lies in its rice and sambal. D'Authentic Nasi Lemak enriches its rice with pandan leaves and coconut milk for an almost floral fragrance, a perfect backdrop for the juicy, tender chicken. While its sambal is salty and rich, don't underestimate the spice that peeks through after you savour its umami.
Sat to Thu: 7am – 2pm Closed on Fri
Are you even human if you don't get a drink with your meal? Coffee Queen is my go-to for classic teh and kopi that accompanies every few bites of my food.
Though Coffee Queen is its name, many left great reviews for the super 'gao' Teh (S$1.20 for Hot, S$1.90 for Iced). Available as Teh C (S$1.30 for Hot, S$2 for Iced) and Teh O (S$1.10 for Hot, S$1.50 for Iced) as well, take your pick and wash down your meal.
With 30 renditions of classic drinks and modern beverages on the menu, your throat will most definitely stay hydrated while you're eating at Marine Parade hawker centre!
Daily: 6.45am – 6pm
If you're looking for something easier on the stomach, why not try out New World Congee? This thick and creamy congee recipe has been around since 1958, a gem passed down through 4 generations.
Fish, pork and chicken toppings are included in their extensive menu. If you're looking for something light and fragrant, you can get the Scallion Congee (S$4 for Small, S$5 for Regular, S$6 for Large). You can also get a crunchier, textured bite from their Peanut Minced Meat Congee (S$4 for Small, S$5 for Regular, S$6 for Large).
Topped with crispy youtiao, fried shallots, fresh coriander and chives, there's no doubt every mouthful will be bursting with flavour. A generous scoop reveals sunken meats coated by smooth congee slick with sesame oil. Slices of century egg bring a depth to the congee's flavour profile with its creamy richness.
A simple dish that warms the stomach, New World Congee makes you crave their recipes even when it's hot outside.
Sat to Thu: 10am – 4pm & 5.30 – 8pm Closed on Fri
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